Lactase-hydrolyzed lactose in feed



United States Patent LACTASE-HYDROLYZED LACTDSE IN FEED Edwin G. Stimpson, Sayville, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to National Dairy Products Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application November 25, 1952, Serial No. 322,579

14 Claims. (Cl. 99-9) This invention relates to improved animal and poultry feeds and feed supplements, and more particularly, to feeds containing lactase-hydrolyzed lactose as a carbohydrate source.

Milk products containing lactose have long been used as a nutrient component for animal and poultry feeds. in certain cases, however, and depending upon the species involved, lactose in amounts of 5 to by weight of the feed tends to cause diarrhea and similar intestinal upsets. For this reason it has not been practical to employ large amounts of lactose-containing milk products in animal and poultry feeds.

Also as a consequence of the insolubility of lactose in water, when liquid food products which contain over 18% of lactose are subjected to low temperatures, lactose may crystallize. Even when warmed lactose crystals may persist in the products, due to the difficulty with which lactose dissolves in water. Furthermore, storage at subfreezing temperatures may lead to protein denaturation as the lactose crystallizes.

in patent application Serial No. 198,506, now Pat. No. 2,681,858, filed November 30, 1950, of which this application is a continuation-in-part, there is described a proccss for the production of milk products wherein the lactose has been hydrolyzed by the action of lactase enzyme to glucose, galactose and other soluble sugars and condensation products thereof. These products are obtained by the lactase hydrolysis of whey, skim milk and like materials.

In accordance with the instant invention, lactasehydrolyzed lactose, such as is obtained by the lactase hydrolysis of lactose in milk products, is incorporated as a carbohydrate source in animal and poultry feed and feed supplements. Inasmuch as the lactase hydrolysis products contain only negligible amounts of lactose, there is no practical upper limit on the amount of such products which can be incorporated in the feed except as is imposed by maintaining a proper nutrient balance. Problems due to crystallization of lactose are also avoided, for the hydrolyzed materials are appreciably more soluble in water than is lactose. There is a higher weight gain per feed unit weight, i. e., a higher feed efiiciency, and/or a greater weight gain in a given period of time than is obtained with a lactose feed, tending to show that the hydrolysis products are more readily assimilated by the animals and poultry than is lactose.

A further elfect has been observed which is quite onexpected, namely, that feeds and feed supl lements containing lactase-hydrolyzed lactose are more appealing to animals and poultry than lactose-containing feeds. In consequence of this the animals and poultry tend to eat more of the feed, and, as a consequence grow more rapidly and gain more weight than when fed the lactosecontaining feed.

The lactose-hydrolyzed lactose can be obtained by the processes known to those skilled in the art. It is, however, preferred to employ milk and milk products wherein the lactose is hydrolyzed by the action of a lactase enzyme 2,781,266 Patented Feb. 12, 1957 "ice system as set forth in patent application Serial No. 198,- 506, now Pat. No. 2,681,858.

In accordance with this process a lactase enzyme prepstation is added to concentrated or pasteurized milk products and the mixture then is held under conditions favoring lactase hydrolysis of lactose to glucose, galacand condensation and/or polymerization products thereof. The process is applicable to milk products of all types and the term milk product is used generically in the prior application and in this application to refer not only to milk and skim milk but also to the lactosecontaining products derived from any of these milks, including whey, cows milk, mares milk, goats milk, ewes milk and other secretions of the mammary glands of mammals. Such lactose-containing products include, for example, whey, mother liquor wash water derived from casein or cheese manufacture in the production of lactose from whey or milk products, and lactalbumin mother liquors such as those obtained following the precipitation of lactalbumin.

In accordance with the process of the prior application, it is possible to produce milk products the lactose of which has been up to hydrolyzed or more, depending upon the conditions of the hydrolysis. It will be understood that in the feeds and feeds supplements of the instant invention milk products the lactose of which has been hydrolyzed to any desired extent can be employed. Usually, it is preferred to employ a milk product of which the lactose is at least 50% hydrolyzed, but products which have been subjected to only a 30% hydrolysis or less are also useful. Products having varying proportions of hydrolyzed and unhydrolyzed lactose can be prepared as has been described by arresting the hydrolysis at any stage, by varying the amount of lactase enzyme, and other expedients, all of which are set forth in the prior application.

Under some circumstances, it is desirable to employ a milk product which has been concentrated to a high solids content, say 30% solids or higher. Dried hydrolyzed milk products also can be used.

The lactase-hydrolyzed lactose, usually in the form of a lactase-hydrolyzed milk product, can be incorporated with other nutrient materials to form a typical animal or poultry feed with added lactase-hydrolyzed lactose. Such feeds have the food value, i. e., retain the valuable nutrient properties, of feeds containing ordinary unhydrolyzed lactose, with the additional advantages attending the use of lactasehydrolyzed lactose.

The amount of the lactase-hydrolyzed lactose which can be incorporated will depend upon the end use of the feed and is readily ascertained. The feed can be prepared in liquid form, such as a solution or emulsion, or as a powder. Powdered feeds, for example, readily can be prepared by incorporating the desired nutrient materials in the liquid lactase-hydrolyzed milk products and then drying the preparation under suitable conditions which preserve the nutrient value of the components, such by tray or spray drying. For example, a carrier such as soy bean flour, corn flour, or oat groat flour can be added to the lactase-hydrolyzed milk product and the resulting slurry spray dried.

The feed can constitute the basal ration. It is preferable, however, to add the lactase-hydrolyzed lactose to the diet as supplementary material which will improve the generally accepted basal ration.

Other nutrient materials which can be added to impart balance to the feed include other milk products such as dried butter milk, concentrated butter milk, dried skim milk and dried whole milk, cereal produCL such as soy meal, soy flour, corn flour, ground corn, Whole oats, ground oats, wheat germ meal and barley and fats such as lard, soy bean oil, and like animal or vegetable fats. In

J addition to these materials the composition may contain vitamin supplements, such as vitamin B and niacin and trace minerals sufiicient to satisfy any feed nutrient requirement.

Usually, the lactase-hydrolyzed lactose will be added in amounts to furnish from 1 to 50% lactase-hydrolyzcd lactose in the diet, depending upon the animal or poultry species, and the age of the animal. Thus, in the case of pigs, it is convenient to feed large percentages of lactosehydrolyzed lactose, ranging from 3 to 20% (4 to 30% as hydrolyzed whey), in the overall diet from the time the pigs are able to eat supplementary food up until approximately the fourteenth week. The hydrolyzed lactose is then reduced to from 0.5 to 2% by weight of the diet and the amounts of other nutrient materials are increased accordingly.

The incorporation of from 1 to 15% lactase-hydrolyzed lactose (2 to 20% as hydrolyzed whey) in the basal ration of poultry gives improved growth.

For calves there can be incorporated in the ration from 2 to 50% lactase-hydrolyzed lactose, as for instance lactase-hydrolyzed skim milk; similar benefits are obtained. A transition feed to supplement pasture for beef cattle would have a similar content of lactase-hydrolyzed lactose.

In the case of each of the above animals and poultry the incorporation of lactase-hydrolyzed lactose produces lower mortality, lower feed cost per 100 lb. of growth condensed skim milk, supplemented in each case with 0.2 cc. cod liver oil, 1 cc. of an aqueous mineral solution containing 0.33 g. iron citrate, 0.026 g. manganese sulfate and 0.03 g. copper sulfate in 50 cc. of solution three Diet whey powder 71.17 2.1% lactose-hydrolyzed whey powder 11.1% iactas t'riitk' EH6 565556 59176; sass a1: 111.4% lactase-treated whey cone. diet for weeks.

Skim milk (32.59% solids) Lactase-hydrolyzed skim milk (2t3. (ld%sbiids) 6 times weekly.

At the end of three weeks the following lactase-hydrolyzed whey concentrate diet was substituted for the 71.1% lactase-hydrolyzed whey powder diet:

10 104.0% Lnctase- Ingredient hydrolyzed whey concentrate (a) Themes-hydrolyzed whey concentrate 104. Q Casein c 10.8 Salt mixture (U. S. P.) 1.3 Butterfat 3.0 God liver oil-l-E and K 2. Co1"1istarch-l-vitarnins 2. 5 Liver (120) 1.0 Cornstarch.. 8.3

'lotul... 133.8

1 Each gm. cod liver oil contained 5 mg. alpha tocopherol and 1 ma. vitamin K. 0 2 2.5 gm. supplied 3 mg. calcium pantothenatc, mg. niacin, 0.6 mg. riboflavin, 0.6 mg. pyridoxine, 0.6 mg. thiamine, 75 mg. choline chloride,

75 mg. inositol and 75 mg. para amino-bulimic acid.

The results of this experiment were as follows: Feed efliciency (average weight gain) 1... 1 1 n mm Weight at Weight at Gm. food Initial end 013 end of 8 Gain Liquid solids required weight weeks weeks (gm) diet ted consumed for 1 gm.

( -l (am) (am) i (am) m) a n -l Wgt. of food eaten. Food refusals subtracted.

EXAMPLE 1 Four groups of eight young rats were fed the following four diets ad libitum for an eight week test period. One group was fed diet A and another diet B:

l Diet n Diet A 71.1% 71.1% lactase- Ingrodlent whey hydrolyzed powder whey con- (g.) centrate Whey powder J 71. i Lactase-hydrolyzed 9:; powder 71.1 Casein 10. 8 10.8 Salt mixture (U. S. P.).. 1.3 1.3 Butterfat 3.0 3. 0 00d liver 011+E and K 2.0 2.0 Cornstarch-l-vltamlns 2. 5 2. 5 Liver (1-20) 1.0 1.0 Cornstarch. 8. 3 8. 3

Total 100. 0 100. 0

1 Each g. cod liver oil contained 5 mg. alpha tocopherol and 1 mg.

vitamin K 2.5 g. supplied 3 mg. calcium pantothenate, 30 mg. niacin, 0.6 mg. riboflavin, 0.6 mg. pyrldoxine, 0.6 mg. thiamine, 76 mg. choline chloride, 75 mg. inositol and 75 mg. para-amino-benzuic acid.

One of the remaining two groups of rats was fed on condensed skim milk and the other on lactase-hydrolyzed The rats on the lactase-hydrolyzed whey powder diet gained more and made more efficient use of their food than those on the unhydrolyzed whey powder diet during the first three weeks of the experiment. At the end of eight weeks, the animals fed the lactase-hydrolyzed whey powder diet had gained more weight but food utilization was approximately the same on both diets; the lactasehydrolyzed whey powder diet exceeded the unhydrolyzed whey powder diet both in food consumption and weight gain etliciency during the first three weeks of the experiment.

The animals on the condensed skim milk and lactasehydrolyzed skim milk diets reacted in much the same way as those fed the whey diets. Less food was required for one gram of gain in the case of lactase-hydrolyzed skim milk diet, and at the end of the first three weeks of the test period, the animals fed the lactase-hydrolyzed skim milk diet weighed more, and had consumed more food. Two of the rats fed condensed skim milk died early in the experiment, whereas all of the animals survived on the lactase-hydrolyzed skim milk. The animals fed the lactase-hydrolyzed skim milk showed a much better appetite than the animals of the other group.

EXAMPLE 2 Day old sexed cockerel chicks at random selection were segregated into groups of 27. Ten ditferent groups were started and raised in batteries. The milk supplements referred to below were incorporated directly in a ration of the following composition which was fed to all 10 groups.

Percent Ground yellow corn 53.000 Soybean oil meal 34.500 Corn gluten meal (41%) 6.000 Fish meal (60%) 1.000 Meat and bone scraps (50%)---- 1.000 Riboflavin 0.003 Calcium pantothenate 0.0015 Niacin 0.003 Choline chloride 0.60 Mercks vitamin B12 0.04

Nine week record of gains per chick on rations containing milk products [All weights in grams] 0-2 wk. 2-4 wk. 4-0 wk. 6-8 wk. 8-9 wk 0-9 wk Ration and experimental group gain per gain per gain per gain per gain per gain pet ch k chick chick chick chick chick A-BaS11l t 1 .1 102. 01 250. 51 306. 33 303. 15 213. 46 1, 235. BBusnl plus 3'7 dried whe 1. 114. 58 239. 65 340. 12 355. 65 105. 80 1, 254. 80 CBasal plus 6 0 dried whey 117. 04 239. 00 322. 0d 355. 83 208. 67 l, 242. ('17 DBasai plus 0% dried whey 118. 44 247. 67 349. 00 380. 89 200. 62 1, 296. 62 E-Basal plus 3%spray-dried lactusu-hydrol Zctl whey 119. 24 263. 84 330. 52 405. 40 217. 84 1. 336. 84 F-Basnl plus 6% spray-dried lactose-hydro yzed whey. 129. 43 2116. 22 357. T 413. 65 214. 41 1 381. GBasal plus 9% spray-dried lactasg-hidrolyzed whey. 1'38. 80 200. 57 344. 00 394. 64 194. l, 338. 45 lIBasalp1us 3% lactose-hydrolyze w ey solids iron: condensed lactose-hydrolyzed who 120 20 272 76 340. 00 3%.04 190. 52 1,324 52 I-Basal plus 6% lactose-hydrolyzed whey solids from condensed lactose-hydrolyzed whey l2; 1d 257 349. 37 387. 00 194. 91 l, 311. 01 .1-Basal plus 3% dried delaotosed whc v 117 (v0 202. 24 330. 16 380. 00 1B3. 06 1 273. 96

All rations were fed ad libitum and fresh Water continuously supplied. Water consumption for each group was recorded at two week intervals between weighings. The experiments were terminated at the end of nine weeks.

The feed intake of the 10 groups of birds is shown in the following table. This data shows group G to have consumed more feed over the nine week period than any of the other groups. The other groups also fed lactase hydrolyzed whey (groups P, G, H and I) consumed large amounts of feed in comparison with the control group A and control groups B and C which were fed dried unhydrolyzed whey, supplementing the basal rations. This i an evidence of the increased attractiveness of feeds containing lactase hydrolyzed materials to poultry. Thus the control and the whey containing materials are much less stimulating to the appetitie and consequently a lower feed intake results. It is obviously advantageous for a formula to stimulate the appetite because the rate Nine week record of feed intake (dry basis) for chicks fed rations containing various milk products [All weights in grams] 0-2 wk. 2-4 wk. 4-6 wk. 6-8 wk. 8-0 wk. Total Ration and experimental group feed conteed conieed conteed conteed confeed consumption sumption sumption sumption sumption sumed pcr chick pcr chick per chick per chick per chick per chick A-Basal 182. 96 497. 77 745. 01 907. 30 536. 02 2. 960- 36 BBasal plus 3% dried whey 199. 03 479. 61 812.31 027. 69 516. 53 2, 935. 17 (--Bussl plus 6% dried whesh-.. .l 162. 78 501. 85 834. 07 062. 22 [108. 89 3. 219. S1 D-Busal plus 9% dried whey 223. 25 504. 4-1 913. 33 1, 031. 15 591, 53 3. 263. 70 E-Basal plus 3 dried hydrolyzed whey- 204. 514. 00 793. 60 1, D42. 80 569. 50 3. 154. 60 F-Basal plus 6 0 dried yd y y--. 214. no 545. 5 1129.13 1. 091. as 617, 2." 3, 2. 13. 01 GBasal plus 9% dried hydrolyzed Whey 269. 2.; 1104. 28 000. 38 1, 138. 63 616. 33 3, 428. 80 H-Basai plus 3% mndenssd hydrolyzed W11 21?. 44 539. 60 B53. 20 l, 192. 80 500. 80 3. 399. S4 PEP-Sal plus 6 o condensed hydrolyze who 2:10. 79 570. 41 856. 66 1,113.41 5115. 65 3,336.91 J4me! plus 3 0 dried delactosed whcy. 216. 00 527. 20 791.60 1, 033. 20 543. 20 3,111.20

of growth is always influenced by the amount of feed intake.

The following table shows the feed eti'iciency (grams of feed per gram of grain) of each two-week weighing period, as well as the cumulative feed eiliciency. 1n the case of groups F, H and I the feed efficiency was greater. The feed efficiency of group B is lower than the control. Feed efliciency is defined as the grams of feed consumed necessary to produce one gram of gain in body weight. Thus the lower the feed efiiciency value the more economical the feedstuif because feed utilization is better. The table indicates that group E is superior in feed efficiency to any other group while group F was substantially equivalent to the control. However in general the feed efficiency is not quite as good as the control. This Composition of stock diet Ingredients:

result must be considered in conjunction with the table Amount (g.) on weight gains. Labor and time are factors in the cost Yellow maize 28.0 of producing poultry and thus faster weight gains lead Whole wheat flour 28.0 to less labor in feeding and more poultry crops per year. Casein 7.0 In the table on weight gains it is apparent that thc luctase- Dried Whole milk 21.0 hydrolyzed supplemented diets are superior to all the Alfalfa meal 2.0 others and lead to 6 to 12% greater rate of weight in- Linseed oil meal 7.0 crease than the control. Dried pork liver 3.0 m Cod liver oil 1.0

Nine week record of efficiency for chicks fed rations containing various milk products (dry basis) who ,..-.n 1

1 0011-1. 240k. 1 Mwk. G-Swk. 8-9wk. 0-9 wk. Ration and expel-11110111111 group 1 1001i 0111- feed eliticed eillfeed 0111- feed 0111- iced e111- oie-ncy cioncy clcncy clcncy ciency clency c *Adh k.i c i. V in dim.

A-Basnl 1.70 1.04 2.10 2.40 2.10 2.40 B-Basa] plus 3? dried wliey........ 1. Ti 2.00 2.30 2.95 2.74 2.43 CB1-tsul plus 6 dried whey 1.33 2.35 2.47 2.71 3.35 2. 511 l)Bas:1l plus 9% dried whey 1. S9 2. O4 2. G2 2. 92 2. 95 2. 60 lllasal plus 3% spray-1111.. 1.72 2. 06 2.40 2. 57 2. 61 2.35 F-Basal plus 6% spray-.1 .1 1.06 2.05 2.32 2.88 2. 87 2.44 Gllns:tl 1111150 spray-d 011 q drolyzt-tl wh ..5 1.1 4 1.89 2.60 3.70 4.33 2.70 11-8050] plus 3% hydrolyzed 0110 solidsfrom 1111111011 hydro lyz d whey. .Hl 1.98 2.50 3.09 2.98 2.57 I-lhsal plus 6; liyilrolyzwrt whey solids from uondt-nsvd hydrol 011 whey... 1.87 2.21, 2.45 3.13 2.90 2.00 .l--llns:1l 1 111531; iilli'il ili'lzictnsvrl \\ll\ 1.84 2. 00 g 2.40 2.71 3. 03 2.44

l Fowl cflicienry fJIEllllS of [01-1] eons 11111 11 to produce one gram of gain.

The data in the following table shows the percentage Phillips and Hart salt mixture 2.0 gain over or above the basal ration. The groups which Phillips and Hart mineral mixture, 0.5 cc. had statistically different gains over group A also had Sodium chloride 0.5 large early gains. This tends to indicate that large early Calcium carbonate 0.5 gains are essential for the production of 3 lb. broilers in nine or ten Weeks. Total 100.0

Weightgains Accumu- Rotlon and experimental group 2nd wk. PCl't'Illl 4thwk. Percent 61;]: wk. Percent 8th wk. Percent 9th wk. Percent lath? Percent W615! t i gains 100 100 306. 3.5 100 363.15 100 213.40 100 1,235. k 112 90 340.12 11-: 355.05 07 195.00 02 1,254. 80 102 11s 05 322.03 105 355.33 07 208.07 1 011 1,242.07 101 99 349.00 114 380.89 105 200. 02 1 114 1,200. 02 1 105 1 17 105 330.52 108 405.40 110 217.84 i 102 1,330.81 1 10s i -Bt1sul plus [My 11. "1. n 127 l0-6 357. 70 117 413.05 114 214.41 1110 1,381.41 112 f1-l1nsnlpl11s9%dri0d hydrolyzed 111 130 1011 344.00 112 394.54 100 104.40 01 1,338.45 1 10s H-Bnsal plus 3% 0011 .11 ml hyi iolg 1 1 1 20 110 100 346.00 113 380.04 100 190.02 03 1.324 1:21 107 I-Basal plus 0% condensed 11 01101 1111 1 123.111 1 121 103 349.37 114 387.00 107 194.01 01 1,311.01 100 J B0sal plus dried tlelaetoswl 7101.1. 117.00 115 105 330. X6 108 380.00 105 133.90 86 l, 273. 06 i 103 The general health of all of the birds was excellent. Composition of lactose diets These test results indicate the optimum of feed lactasehydrolyzed whey to be about 6%. At this level larger 60 15% 15% gains are made on less feed than at the 9% level. The mgmdlems Basal Lactose hydrolyzdiet (g.) dict (g.) ed lactose optimum level of feeding condensed lactase-hydrolyzed (1mm) whey appears to be about 3%.

It would be concluded from these results that rations Casein 24.0 24, 65 Phillips and Hart salt mtxturc.... 4.0 4.0 4.0

E, F, G, H and I are superior to ration A.

Rations B, C, D and J are not superior to ration A, thus showing that the improvement in rations E, F, G, H and I is due to the lactase-hydrolyzed whey solids therein.

EXAMPLE 3 Phillips and Hart mineral mix- Cod Liver 011 E and K Vitamins and starch Liver concentrate (1-20) Cornstarch Enzyme-hydrolyzed lactose Lactose Total 1 Trace minerals added in solution. I Syrup-48% solids. 19.2g.- 15:. hydrolysed lactose solids.

The results of the test were as follows:

Number Number i Average young young Number Number Average Number Average number Average dlsdisyoung young A vertigo weight Diet of number young birth appearappear killed weaned weaning change rats litters born weight ing 1-3 mg 4-21 3rd day per weight of per rat or (gm). days days (per litter (gnL) mother l tter (per (per litter) horn (gun) litter) litter) Basal 2L 4. 7 9. 6 6. 0 2. S l. l 2. 4 3. 4 42.- 4 --l3.-2 lactose 24 4.8 10. 4 6. 0 2. (l 1.0 3. 3 4. 2 44.0 -11. l 15 v enzyme hydrolyzed lactose 24 5. 0 10. 4 6. 0 2. 0. 5 s. 1 4. 6 4-5; 5 -20. 3 Stock 12 L? 10.7 6.2 1.3 1.8 4.0 3.6 45.2 7.8

The data shows that the rats fed the lactase-hydrolyzed lactose gained most weight in the course'of the feeding period, and more young were weaned per litter.

EXAMPLE 4 Optimum formula Constituent: (parts) Total whole whey solids 1,750

Unhydrolyzcd whey solids 875 Lactase-hydrolyzed whey solids 875* Buttermilk powder 250 Soya meal 575 Lard 100 Water 2,325

EXAMPLE 5v The following is a specific formulation designed for suckling pigs:

Optimum formula Constituent: (parts) Total whole whey solids 1,358

Unhydrolyzed whey solids 375 Lactase-hydrolyzed whey solids '983 Buttermilk powder 823 Soya meal 192.5 Soya oil 247.5 Water 2,621 The infant pigs are fed with this formulation starting from the second week of birth. From the fourth to the twelfth week the formulation is a major part of their diet. From the twelfth week, the proportion is reduced to about 15% of the total diet and after about seventy days the formulation can be discontinued and a straight whey solids formulation fed.

EXAMPLE 6 A typical poultry supplement has the following formulation:

Optimum formula Constituent: (parts) Total whole whey solids 1,358

Unhyclrolyzed whey solids 375 Lactase-hydrolyzed whey solids 983 Skim milk powder 823 Oat groat flour 192.5 Cottonseed oil 247.5 Water 2,621 This formulation is designed as a finishing formula with the aim of producing a quick fattening of the poultry. The formulation will be fed for four weeks, at the finish of the feeding period. This supplement may also have a sparing action on the amount of feed necessary to obtain the desired condition in the poultry prior to marketing.

EXAMPLE 7 The following is a specific formulation designed for a starter calf food:

Percent Skim milk powder 70 Lactase hydrolyzed skim milk powder 20 Oat groat flour 10 Total 100 In Examples 4-6 specific formulation of pigs, poultry supplements are given. The proportions of the components of these formulations actually could be widely varied and the following general ranges suggest other compositions which could be prepared:

Pig emulsion Permissible Constituent: range, percent Total whole whey solids 10 to $5 Unhydrolyzed whey solids 1 20 to Lactase-hydrolyzed whey solids 80 to 20 Other milk products 5 to 20 Cereal products 5 to 50 Fat 2 to 15 Water 40 to 70 Suckling pigs emulsion Permissible Constituent: range, percent Total whole whey solids 2 mm 55 Unhydrolyzed whey solids l 0 to 70 Lactase-hydrolyzed whey solids 1 100 to 30 Other milk products 1Oto 30 Cereal products 2 1 to 10 Fats 3 l to 10 Water 2 35 to 60 Poultry supplement Permissible Constituent: range, percent Total whole whey solids 2 10 to 40 Unhydrolyzed whey solids 1 10 to Lactase-hydrolyzed whey solids 1 90 to 10 Other milk products 40 to 10 Cereal products 2 l to '12 Fat 3 0.2 to 5 Water 2 50 to 75 Feed supplement for calves Permissible Constituent: range, percent Total wholc whey solids (Ho 30 Unhydrolyzed whey solids 1 20 to 80 Lactase-hydrolyzed whey solids 1 80 to 20 Other milk products 50 to 40 Cereal products 15 to 30 1 0t total whey solids. l 0f formula.

The above formulations are in emulsion form. It will be understood that dry formulations can be made of equivalent quality simply by omitting the water. Usually, however, it is preferable to prepare the feed or feed supplement as a fluid emulsion or solution having a solids content within the range from 25 to 60%.

In the examples, the lactase-hydrolyzed milk products used were obtained by the process outlined in the prior copending application Serial No. 198,506. It will be understood that other lactase-hydrolyzed milk products can be used. Lactose which has been hydrolysed h; action of inorganic acids also can be used. The lactaschydrolyzed milk solids are, however, preferred because their use appears to give exceptional beneficial effects. It is thought that these benefits may be due to the sugars other than glucose and galactose present in the hydrolysis reaction mixture but not as yet identified.

The compositions of the invention can be used its iced supplements, in which event from 1 to 40% of the diet for example can be the supplement and the remainder a standard complete diet. The invention also is applicable to complete diets in which the lactase-hydrolyzcd lactose is added directly to the standard dietary formula.

All percentages in the specification and claims are by unhydrolyzcd whey solids, and from 80 to 20% are lactase-hydrolyzed whey solids, from to milk prodnot other than whey, from 5 to 50% cereal, from 2 to l5% fat and from 40 to 70% water.

5. An emulsion feed for suckling pigs comprising from 10 to 55% total whey solids, of which up to 70% are unhydrolyzcd whey solids, and from to 100% are lactase-hydrolyzed whey solids, from 10 to 30% milk product other than whey, from 1 to 10% cereal, from 1 to 10% fat and from to 60% water.

6. A poultry supplement comprising from 10 to total whey solids of which from it) to 90% are un hydrolyzed whey solids and from 90 to 10% are lactasehydrolyzed whey solids, from 10 to 40% milk product other than whey, from 1 to 12% cereal, from 0.2 to 5% fat and from to 75% water.

7. A calf supplement comprising up to 30% total whey solids, of which from 20 to 80% are unhydrolyzcd whey solids and from 80 to 20% are lactase-hydrolyzed whey solids, from 40 to 50% milk product other than whey and from 75 to 50% cereal.

3. A feed comprising a lactase-hydrolyzed lactose of which at least 50% of the lactose has been hydrolyzed, ll will. product, a cereal and fat.

9. A feed comprising lactase-hydrolyzed whey solids, of which at least 50% of the lactose content thereof has been hydrolyzed, a cereal and a fat.

10. A feed comprising lactase-hydrolyzed milk solids, it which at least 50% of the lactose content thereof has been hydrolyzed, a cereal and a fat.

11. An emulsion feed for pigs comprising from 10 to lactase-hydrolyzed whey solids, of which at least 50% of the lactose content thereof has been hydrolyzed, from 5 to 20% milk product other than whey, from 5 to 50% cereal, from 2 to 15% fat and from 40 to water.

12. An emulsion feed for suckling pigs comprising from 10 to 55% lactase-hydrolyzed whey solids, of which at least 50% of the lactose content thereof has been hydrolyzed, from 10 to 30% milk product other than whey. from 1 to 10% cereal, from 1 to 10% fat and from 35 to 60% water.

13. A poultry supplement comprising from 10 to 40% lnctase-hydrolyzed whey solids, of which at least 50% ot' the lactose content thereof has been hydrolyzed, from 10 to 40% milk product other than whey, from 1 to 12% cereal, from 0.2 to 5% fat and from 50 to water.

14. A calf supplement comprising up to 30% lactasehydrolyzed whey solids, of which at least 50% of the lactose content thereof has been hydrolyzed, from 40 to 50% milk product other than Whey and from 75 to 50% cereal.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 46,585 Percy Feb. 28. l865 2,482,724 Baker Sept. 20, 1949 2,536,438 Grelck Jan. 2, 1951 2,608,483 Hayes Aug. 26, 1952 2,681,858 Stimpson June 22, 1954 

1. A FEED FOR ANIMALS AND POULTRY COMPRISING LACTASEHYDROLYZED LACTOSE, A MILK PRODUCT , A CEREAL AND A FAT. 